Monthly Archives: May 2018

A fixture at Planet Hollywood, Pink’s Hot Dogs, has closed. A source says the closure of Pink’s is an initial step toward the arrival of Chick-fil-A. If the rumor pans out, this would be the first Chick-fil-a location on the Las Vegas Strip.

Pink’s, an import from California, opened at Planet Hollywood resort in August 2009.

A sign outside the now-closed Pink’s suggests customers make their way to another restaurant, Haute Doggery at the Linq Promenade.

Haute Doggery and Pink’s are both operated by Block 16 Hospitality and owner Billy Richardson. Richardson also owns Holstein’s at Cosmopolitan, Flour & Barley at Linq promenade, Barrymore at Royal Resort and Public House at Venetian.

Fun fact: Billy Richardson’s father, Bill Richardson, is construction manager of Resorts World. Las Vegas is a very small town.

Pink’s was founded by Paul and Betty Pink in 1939, when a hot dog cost 10 cents. The “Planet Hollywood” dog at Pink’s cost $8.25.

It’s estimated there were about 30 people employed at Pink’s Hot Dogs.

We hear Pin-Up Pizza, adjacent to Pink’s Hot Dogs, will also close at Planet Hollywood, but that has yet to be confirmed.

We’re not entirely sure employees know the place could be closing, so let’s keep it between us.

Pin-Up Pizza opened in January 2014.

While there’s been no official announcement about what will replace Pink’s and Pin-Up Pizza, our source says these spaces will be absorbed into a footprint for the Las Vegas Strip’s first Chick-fil-A.

It’s anticipated the Chick-fil-A at Planet Hollywood could be one of the chain’s most profitable locations, which is saying something given Chick-fil-A generates more revenue per restaurant than any other fast food chain in the country.

We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for official news about Pin-Up Pizza, as well as long-awaited confirmation Chick-fil-A is finally coming to the Las Vegas Strip.

Update (9/19/18): Our story about Chick-fil-A coming to Planet Hollywood has been confirmed.

Update (12/26/19): Chick-fil-A at Planet Hollywood opens Jan. 30, 2020 with hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. As we first reported, Chick-fil-A will, technically, be open on Sunday (from midnight to 2:00 a.m.). Boom.

It’s the all-sex episode of the podcast you can definitely live without!

First up, we’ve got an exclusive interview with Kristy Auli of Menage Life, the organization hosting a record attempt for the world’s largest orgy. The event takes place June 2, 2018 at the Erotic Heritage Museum here in Las Vegas, and more than 1,000 people have already registered to take part.

We also chat with Dustin Wax, Executive Director of the Burlesque Hall of Fame, a popular attraction which recently expanded to a new location. Get the inside scoop on this organization devoted to “preserving burlesque as an artform and cultural phenomenon.”

The Burlesque Hall of Fame’s address has changed, but the tease remains the same.

Of course, we couldn’t do an all-sex installment without sharing the latest about the upcoming Las Vegas march in honor of International Whores Day. Organizers say the event is a “day to assert collective power and make demands, such as advocating for sex work to be decriminalized. Read more.

Our “Listicle of the Week” is “10 Sexy Things in Las Vegas,” including the Green Door swingers club, dancing dealers at The D and Golden Gate, the Love Store, Sheri’s Ranch brothel, “Chippendales” at Rio and “Fantasy” at Luxor and more.

Hey, there’s a reason they call it Sin City. Take a listen and we promise a happy ending!

It’s a popular misconception prostitution is legal in Las Vegas. Believe that and you’re screwed.

From the artwork above, you may have noticed the red umbrella is an important symbol for sex worker rights. The International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE) adopted the red umbrella as a symbol of resistance to discrimination in 2005.

On a completely unrelated note, another large event is happening in Las Vegas on June 2. Specifically, the world’s largest orgy.

In one of the most boring stories, ever, unless you’re hardcore into Las Vegas, we’re hearing longtime CEO Rossi Ralenkotter is out at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) after 45 years at the organization. He became CEO of the LVCVA in 2004.

Yeah, it’s still sort of boring even if you’re hardcore into Las Vegas. But scoop is scoop.

Rossi Ralenkotter has been at the helm of the LVCVA for a very long time, and his departure will mark the end of an era in Las Vegas.

There’s a chance that without Rossi Ralenkotter, you might never have visited Las Vegas. Not really, but just play along.

The LVCVA is a governmental agency and the “official destination marketing organization of Las Vegas.” The agency is funded by a hotel room tax.

Let’s just say the LVCVA is very well-funded. For example, it recently approved a $101.5 million advertising budget. Through the LVCVA’s longtime partnership with marketing agency R&R Partners, those ad dollars are spent on efforts like the recently-unveiled “Vegas Moments” campaign, below.

Rumors are the LVCVA has reached the end of its collective rope related to Ralenkotter’s recent scandals, chronicled relentlessly by the Las Vegas Review-Journal (more on that in a minute).

In one alleged scandal (not alleged that he did it, alleged that it’s a scandal), Ralenkotter used LVCVA security officers to drive him around town.

Most recently, Ralenkotter was accused of using $17,152 in airline gift cards given to the LVCVA for personal trips.

The LVCVA is so forward-thinking, it crosses its Gs.

Earth-shattering revelations, these are not.

Still, expect the Las Vegas Review-Journal to gleefully confirm our story and trumpet Rossi Ralenkotter’s departure from the LVCVA. We’re betting it gets space on the front page.

Sheldon Adelson is a tad litigious, so we’ll just forego a funny caption this time.

We feel just horrible stealing the Review-Journal’s thunder by being the first to report this news. Just horrible.

There’s no denying the impact Rossi Ralenkotter has had on tourism in Las Vegas. Should rumors of his departure from the LVCVA prove to be true, it will be a very visible, symbolic shift in the organization.

The LVCVA has avoided taking the hit for 10 consecutive months of drops in Las Vegas visitation (“Monte Carlo is rebranding to Park MGM!”), but casino owners are no doubt looking at the LVCVA to shake things up and get those numbers back on track.

Rossi Ralenkotter has been a fixture in Las Vegas for decades, and has helped shape the world’s perception of our town. Here’s hoping he’ll get some well-deserved, Vegas-style hoopla on his way out.

Locals refer to this banner as Bruce. You wouldn’t like it when it’s angry.

So, that’s the arch part of the project.

The second component of the project is a display located a few blocks away from the current welcome banner, at the spot where Las Vegas Blvd. and Main Street meet.

This is not, as widely reported, the site of the former “Welcome to Downtown Las Vegas” sign. That sign was demolished by a drunken asshat in July 2016.

Let’s break this down, because the alternative is to have a life.

First, let’s look at the former site of the “Welcome to Downtown Las Vegas sign.” It’s boring, but could end up being where the new arch is installed. It’s at South 4th Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.

It’s rare when our photos capture so much not much.

Next, let’s look at the second part of the gateway project. It’s an homage to Las Vegas, featuring showgirls, chips, dice and a roulette wheel.

This display is definitely going where South Main Street and Las Vegas Blvd. connect. The address is 1830 S. Las Vegas Boulevard.

Quick, name the first five things you think of when you hear “Las Vegas,” including the words “Las Vegas.”

The funds approved by the City of Las Vegas were to acquire property rights for a corner of a Denny’s parking lot.

Yes, we took a photo. Do you know this blog at all?

Seriously, the things we do for you.

Here’s an overhead view of the site. The City has thoughtfully highlighted the space it’s purchasing the right to use for this new welcome display.

We are now, officially, boring ourself.

Now, here’s a map of where everything is in relation to everything else. Farthest north is the site of the former “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. In the middle is the future site of the welcome display with the showgirls. Farthest south is the current welcome banner.

Thanks for helping us clear this up, Google Maps.

That’s where the downtown Las Vegas gateway project stands at the moment.

We’ve been told the designs for both the arch and the sidewalk display have been approved, but there’s no word on when they might be installed.

While these new welcome signs may not become iconic like the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the south end of The Strip, we’re a big fan of the concepts for the arch and over-sized gambling paraphernalia, so we can’t wait to see the finished product.

In this week’s episode, we chat with comedian Tom Green. Yes, that Tom Green.

Tom Green is best known for his offbeat “The Tom Green Show” on MTV and movies like “Road Trip,” “Freddy Got Fingered” and “Charlie’s Angels.” Green currently has a residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas, and now he joins the pantheon of performers who have had to endure our annoying questions.

Also on this show, we share our thoughts about four new venues making their debut at Palms Las Vegas, Apex nightclub, Unknown casino bar, Scotch 80 Prime steakhouse and Camden Cocktail Lounge.

The new Unknown bar at Palms is hard to miss.

The off-Strip Palms is investing $620 million in a dramatic overhaul, with more venues on the way, including restaurants from celebrity chefs Marc Vetri, Michael Symon and Bobby Flay.

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